Guy-line tightener



May 25 1926.

J. W. BELL GUY LINE TIGHTENER File d August 10 1925' Patented May 25,1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. BELL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

GUY-LINE TIGHTENER.

This invention relates to improvements in guy line tighteners, theprimary object being to provide a quick acting and effective device fortightening guy lines or cords.

6 A further object is to provide a highly efficient guy line tightenerfor use in lieu of the usual tightening devices. used in connection withtents or the like and so construct the device as to permit positivelooking at 10 any point desired.

Other objects will be apparent in the following descriptive matter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a perspective View;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the man ner in which my device isapplied to use;

Figure 3 is an edge elevation thereof; and

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view, a

50 cord or guy line being shown in dotted lines.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings.

This tightener is made up of a single piece 55 of metal preferablythough not necessarily aluminum and broadly comprises a reel permanentlyattachable to a cord or guy line and having a radial arm or lever tofacilitate winding of a portion of the cord upon the reel. At the end ofthis lever or operating handle is a hook or finger which is readilyengageable with a cord for the purpose of locking the reel againstbackward rotation which would result in loosening of 5 the guy line orthe like.

This reel consists of a pair of spaced parallel heads 6 which may be ofany preferred configuration and size and are connected by means of acentrally arranged flattened web 1 or axle 7 as shown in Figures 2 and4. This web 7 has an opening 8 through which a cord or guy line L may beextended, providing means whereby the tightener may at all times becarried by the cord or guy line 5 ready for immediate use. The heads 6extend radially sufliciently to allow winding of a guy line therebetween to a degree which will effect the desired tightening.

An operating handle or lever 9 extends radially from one edge of one ofthe head members 6 and carries along 1ts outer face a relatively widerib or flange 10 which in addition to serving as a reinforcement for thehandle may also be used to carry advertising matter. This web or rib 10is materially widened at its outer extremity to form a finger-piece 11which the operator may readily grip during manipulation of the device.

Extending laterally from what I term the inner side of the operatinglever 9 and transversely alined with said finger-piece 11 is a lockingdevice or hook 12. This locking device is preferably substantiallyU-shaped so as to form a seat for a cord or guy line being tightened.

The operation of this device is as follows Assuming the parts to bepositioned as shown in Figure 2, the operator grips the finger-piece 11,and, using the lever as an operating crank, rotates the reel, therebywinding the cord or guy line upon the web between the head members 6.After sufficient tension on the cord has been obtained, the lock deviceor hook 12 is slipped over the guy line or cord as shown in Figure 2. Insuch position it is clear that the reel will be held against rotationand consequently the cord or guy line will be retained taut.

I claim a In a cord or guy line tightener, a reel including a pair ofspaced heads, an axial web connecting the heads and having a transverseopening to receive a cord and permanently and slidably mountthetightener on a cord, a handle extending radially from one head andintegral therewith, a curved locking finger extending laterally from oneside of the outer end of said handle, and a finger-piece extendinglaterally from the other side of the handle at a point opposite thelocking finger.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JAMES W. BELL.

